AJAX DOWNS, SEPTEMBER 10, 2025 – HAD TO BE FABULOUS honoured her name once again at Ajax Downs on Wednesday, September 10 when she charged to a one length win in the $59,310 Norman Picov Derby, notching her ninth consecutive victory and 12th win in her 13-race career.
The bay Ontario-bred 3-year-old filly, bred and owned by Carol and Jaime Robertson of Hillsburgh, ON and trained by Bryn Robertson, broke smoothly from the gate at the start of the 400-yard dash and quickly had her sights set on the leaders.
By the halfway mark of the Derby, Had to Be Fabulous and jockey Ismael Mosqueira had grabbed the lead on their way to another popular win, this time as the 1 to 5 favourite. Kissin Ella, the American-bred filly who was second to Had to Be Fabulous in the latter’s Trial win, was up for second in the final by a nose over Ontario bred Peighntmeadiamond.
The time of 20.066 was good for a strong 95 speed index.
The Picov Derby win all but solidified a Horse of the Year title for Had to Be Fabulous for 2025.
“I don’t recall, at least in my career, ever having ridden a horse like her,” said Mosqueira, who won three races on the big, nine-race card on Wednesday to boost his win total to a meet-leading 31 wins.
“She was actually a bit sharper today and usually she is very quiet,” said Mosqueira, who has ridden some 5,000 races on Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses. “Today she was confident.”
Trainer Bryn Robertson said the Picov Derby was likely the last race of the season for Had to Be Fabulous, a daughter of One Fabulous Eagle from the Robertson’s late mare, Had to Be Fandango, the dam of multiple champion Had to Be Ivory.
Earlier on the card, John Wilson’s ESPECIALLY TEMPTING scored a 6 to 1 upset in the $54,045 Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity for 2-year-olds. Trained by Scott Reid and ridden by Cassandra Jeschke, Especially Tempting, at 6 to 1, held off Alabama Moonshine and favoured Agent Ice to win the 330-yard race by a neck in 17.571 for a 77 speed index. Bred by Reid, Especially Tempting is the first winner and stakes winner for her Ontario sire Makin a Effort.
Racing continues at Ajax Downs on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2025 with a first race post time of 12:55 p.m.
Admission and parking are always free at Ajax Downs. You can watch and wager on our exciting races trackside, up close to the action, at our picnic tables. To reserve tables in advance for $25 or book the VIP room for your party or group, contact www.ajaxdowns.com.
There is also an expansive simulcast wagering room with tellers, or you can wager through www.HPIBet.com.
If you want to get involved in owning a Quarter Horse, contact the Quarter Racing Owners of Ontario at 905- 426-7050.
Norman Picov Derby replay – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjfyJEiIq0c
Photo below – Especially Tempting and jockey Cassandra Jeschke win the $54,045 Ontario Sires Stakes Futurity for 2-year-olds.
©Clive Cohen
